Xpress Reviews—First Look at New Books
-- Library Journal, 9/1/2005
Week of August 30
FICTION | NONFICTION | MYSTERIES IN BRIEF | LAST-MINUTE MYSTERIES
FICTION
Brando, Marlon & Donald Cammell. Fan-Tan. Knopf. Sept. 2005. c.256p. ed. by David Thomson. ISBN 1-4000-4471-5. $23.95. F
Both Brando and screenwriter Cammell (Performance; Demon Seed) died before completing this novel, so film writer Thomson (The New Biographical Dictionary of Film) was brought in to close the deal. Brando conceived Fan-Tan more than 20 years ago when he was overweight and fiftyish, and, not surprisingly, the main character is also overweight and beyond middle age. Anatole “Annie” Doultry is a scoundrel, con man, gun runner, and self-proclaimed great lover living in 1927 Hong Kong. The plot centers on Annie’s teaming up with a beautiful female Chinese pirate to pull off a major heist. The novel—which takes its title from a card game—has its moments, especially when describing life in the harsh and fading British Empire and a China that is tearing itself apart. But it is fundamentally overwritten and just not very appealing, with raw and graphic portions that border on being repugnant. Brando’s celebrity status will garner this novel some interest, but it’s not a contender. For larger collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/05.]—Robert Conroy, Warren, MI
Tanenbaum, Robert K. Fury. Atria: S. & S. Sept. 2005. c.496p. ISBN 0-7434-5290-9. $25.95. F
It is Christmas in New York City, and the Karp family (Absolute Rage) is together except for daughter Lucy, who is working in New Mexico. The big news is that four men convicted of a brutal rape have been exonerated after another man confesses to the crime. The Coney Island Four, as the media has named them, are now suing the city for millions. Mayor-elect Denton asks Butch Karp to serve as defense attorney for the city, and from there on the plot gets quite complicated. While trying to deal with her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease, Marlene Ciampi, Butch’s wife, has also been asked to help a college professor who has been accused of rape by one of his students. Lucy and her friend John arrive in the city in time to celebrate the holidays and get involved with a terrorist plot to blow up Times Square. Tanenbaum handles all of these plot lines and subplots with amazing aplomb. Everything comes together in an underground subway shoot out that leaves the reader wishing the next book in this never-disappointing series were coming out tomorrow. For all popular fiction collections.—Jo Ann Vicarel, Cleveland Heights–University Heights P.L.
NONFICTIONGansler, Laura Leedy. The Mysterious Private Thompson: The Double Life of Sarah Emma Edmonds, Civil War Soldier. Free Pr: S & S. Sept. 2005. 320p. illus. photogs. index. ISBN 0-7432-4280-7. $25. BIOG
Gansler (co-author, Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law) attempts to explore the enigma that was Sarah Emma Edmonds (1841-98), a woman who, in a time when it was highly scandalous, decided to live her life disguised as a man and ended up fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Born into a farming family in New Brunswick, Canada, Edmonds was a disappointment to her father, who was hoping for a healthy son. She left home at 17 and invented the identity of Frank Thompson, first a book salesman, finally a Union soldier. Gansler takes readers through Edmonds’s early life but does not provide a clear picture as to what motivated her actions and decisions. She uses Edmonds’s journals and those of others but does little to answer the major questions in the book: Why did Edmonds impersonate a man? Did she really serve as a Union spy? What were her reasons for deserting the army in 1863? Who was this woman? This is the first full-length examination of Edmonds, and it will be used as a basis for further study. For that reason, the book is recommended for college and university libraries. For a more general treatment of the subject, read Elizabeth D. Leonard’s All the Daring of a Soldier: Women of the Civil War Armies.—Teri Shiel, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, NY
Lazarus, Paul N., III. Produced By...: Balancing Art and Business in the Movie Industry. Silman-James, dist. by SCB Dist. 2005. c.228p. index. ISBN 1-879505-79-7. pap. $18.95.
Turman, Lawrence. So You Want To Be a Producer: Finding Your Story, Obtaining the Rights, Developing the Script, Hiring Your Cast and Crew, Distributing Your Movie. Three Rivers: Crown. Sept. 2005. c.256p. index. ISBN 1-4000-5166-5. pap. $14. FILM
To the general film-going public, the producer’s role is not only poorly understood but perhaps of some interest given the prevalence of movies in our culture. Indeed, the growing profusion of people who receive producer credits on films and television programs today makes the profession seem like little more than a name game. Just what a producer actually does is neatly summarized by Turman (production, Univ. of Southern California) as someone “responsible for overseeing all phases of motion picture or television production from the conception of the story to the delivery of the final product.” Turman has done just that for more than 40 motion pictures and television series since 1961, including The Graduate, which he turns into a useful “case study.” Covered are essential responsibilities like acquiring material, negotiating, financing, and what happens during the actual shooting.
Lazarus’s producing career appears to have peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s; his best-known films are Westworld and Futureworld. Like Turman, Lazarus addresses basic duties but puts additional emphasis on advertising, research, marketing, distribution, and the all-important relationship that producers must forge with directors. Turman, meanwhile, largely focuses on his own experiences, a format that makes his book more suitable for general collections. Lazarus’s book, with its numerous practical examples, is well suited for film study courses.—Roy Liebman, Los Angeles P.L.
Majer, Gerald. The Velvet Lounge: On Late Chicago Jazz. Columbia Univ. Sept. 2005. c.224p. discog. ISBN 0-231-13682-X. $27.50. MUSIC
Poet and essayist Majer (English, Villa Julie Coll.) combines personal reminiscences with portraits of jazz musicians and groups that graced the late Chicago jazz scene. (Most of these profiles were originally published in journals like Brilliant Corners: A Journal of Jazz and Literature, the Yale Review, and Shenandoah.) Subjects include Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Sun Ra, Jimmy Smith, Roscoe Mitchell, Fred Anderson, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and Eight Bold Souls. But marrying jazz and literature is not an easy task. While interesting descriptions of the jazz scene emerge—most notably in the chapter on the Velvet Lounge (a Chicago club owned by saxophonist Fred Anderson)—other items of interest get diluted by literary allusions, in some instances to the point of spoiling the broth. While no one is denying the author’s respect and passion for and knowledge of the music, his approach simply undercuts the jazz coverage. The memoirs might have more meaning to those, like Majer, with Chicago roots, but that is a fairly limited audience. Better books on free jazz exist, including Todd S. Jenkins’s Free Jazz and Free Improvisation: An Encyclopedia. Not recommended.—Ronald S. Russ, Arkansas State Univ. Lib., Beebe
MYSTERIES IN BRIEFBerenson, Laurien. Raining Cats and Dogs. Kensington. Sept. 2005. c.272p. ISBN 0-7582-0813-8. $22. M
Recently married Melanie Travis (Best in Show) enrolls her standard poodle, Faith, in an obedience school whose members visit a nearby nursing home. The pair’s first visit ends badly—a rich elderly resident is murdered, and school members ask Melanie to investigate. For collections where canine cozies are popular. Berenson lives in Kentucky.
Dams, Jeanne M. Crimson Snow: A Hilda Johansson Mystery. Perseverance: John Daniel. Sept. 2005. c.256p. ISBN 1-880284-79-0. pap. $13.95. M
Housemaid to the wealthy Studebaker family in 1904 South Bend, IN, Hilda becomes involved in another case of murder. She tries to remain aloof, but the victim was her younger brother’s much-admired schoolteacher. From the author of the Dorothy Martin mysteries. Dams is a native of South Bend. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 5/1/05.]
Dunn, Carola. Fall of a Philanderer: A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Sept. 2005. c.256p. ISBN 0-312-33589-X. $23.95. M
Set in 1920s England, this popular series continues with a family holiday interrupted by murder. While Daisy and husband/detective Alec picnic, they are called to investigate the murder of a local Don Juan, whose body is found at the bottom of a cliff. A lively historical cozy. Dunn lives in Eugene, OR.
Emerson, Kathy Lynn. Fatal as a Fallen Woman: A Diana Spaulding Mystery. Pemberley. Sept. 2005. c.274p. ISBN 0-9702727-9-0. $24.95. M
Diana Spaulding (Deadlier Than the Pen), a reporter in 1880s New York, interrupts her wedding plans when she learns that her wealthy estranged father has been murdered in Denver—supposedly by her equally estranged mother. Despite their differences, Diana tries to help. Her subsequent investigation uncovers a mistress, a brothel, and more murder. For larger historical mystery collections. Emerson lives in Wilton, ME.
Harrod-Eagles, Cynthia. Dear Departed: A Bill Slider Mystery. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin’s. Dec. 2005. c.352p. ISBN 0-312-34768-5 [ISBN 978-0-312-34768-0]. $24.95. M
Detective Bill Slider (Gone Tomorrow), about to be married to his pregnant fiancée, must spend time instead on stopping a serial murderer. A fine British procedural. The author lives in England.
Lavene, Joyce & Jim Lavene. Before the Last Lap: A Sharyn Howard Mystery. Avalon: Avalon Publishing Group. 2005. c.192p. ISBN 0-8034-9728-8. $21.95. M
Sharyn Howard frets over the disappearance of her assistant, Trudy, who is also married to one of her deputies. When Trudy’s purse is found in a blood-washed boat, Sharyn’s fears grow, especially when a dead body is discovered nearby. Sharyn and deputies find ties to a famous local racecar driver (Trudy’s first husband was driving that guy’s car when killed), who is murdered just as Trudy turns up. Trudy looks suspect, so hubby, also on the scene, pleads guilty. Simplistic characterization and plotting limit the appeal here, but this might be of interest to series fans and Montgomery County, NC.
Nabb, Magdalen. The Innocent: A Marshal Guarnaccia Investigation. Soho, dist. by Consortium. Oct. 2005. c.240p. ISBN 1-56947-414-1. $22. M
Surrounded by the sounds and sights of Florence, Marshal Guarnaccia (Some Bitter Taste) can think of no better place to be. Still, murder will intrude, this time in the form of a woman’s body in the Boboli gardens. Now Guarnaccia must go to Rome to find her killer. A wonderful series addition. The British-born Nabb lives in Florence.
Spencer, Sally writing as Alan Rustage. Blackstone and the Firebug. Severn House. Sept. 2005. 218p. ISBN 0-7278-6245-6. $27.95. M
An arsonist wants to extort money from the government but only burns small targets, like a single warehouse or a lone sloop. Inspector Sam Blackstone (Rendezvous with Death) and criminal pathologist Ellie Carr attempt to find out why. Their investigation seems to lead to the government itself. An engaging turn-of-the-20th-century historical. Spencer is the author of the DCI Woodend series.
LAST-MINUTE MYSTERIESMassey, Sujata. The Typhoon Lover. HarperCollins. Oct. 2005. c.320p. ISBN 0-06-076512-7. $23.95. M
In Massey’s eighth installment of this award-winning mystery series, Japanese American antiques expert Rei Shimura is turning 30. After a loud rock’n’roll birthday party thrown by her boyfriend, she is approached by a nebulous group of government representatives who ask that she return to Japan to recover a stolen ancient Iraqi artifact now owned by her old flame, Takeo Kayama. Rei still has feelings for Takeo and doesn’t wish him any harm, and the government officials insist they’re not after Takeo. While Japan comes to life with Massey’s skilled descriptions of food, manners, style, and morality, Rei’s part in the tale is not as credible. She’s alternatively naïve and superheroic and hasn’t grown up much since her earlier appearance in the series. This largely implausible novel, in which Rei’s stateside boyfriend spends most of his time complaining and throwing up, is recommended perhaps for collections where there is heavy interest in Japan.—Andi Shechter, Seattle
Talley, Marcia. This Enemy Town. Avon. Sept. 2005. c.255p. ISBN 0-06-058739-3 [ISBN 978-0-06-058739-0]. pap. $6.99. M
In the fifth novel in Talley’s series (In Death’s Shadow), Hannah Ives is now a faculty wife at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where her husband, Paul, teaches mathematics. She comes to the aid of fellow breast cancer patient Dorothy Hart, who has been recruited to build sets for the academy glee club production of Sweeney Todd. Into all this Sondheim mania walks Jennifer Goodall, the former student who had accused Paul of sexual harassment. When Jennifer ends up bludgeoned to death with one of Hannah’s hammers, the FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service come knocking. True to her nature, Hannah usurps the investigation to clear her name. Talley uses her own breast cancer experience to paint her plucky heroine, though Hannah’s illness seems superfluous to the action. In fact, the foundation for the plot is naval academy life and regulations, including “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” This reviewer had several questions even as Hannah reveals the killer, but Talley answers them up by the final page. Not overly suspenseful, with perhaps too neat a conclusion, this is a pleasant diversion; recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 5/1/05.]—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal
Week of August 23
Ellis, Jack C. & Betsy A. McLane. A New History of Documentary Film. Continuum. Sept. 2005. c.384p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8264-1750-7. $65; pap. ISBN 0-8264-1751-5. $19.95. FILM
From the horrors of the atomic bomb, to the peace and love of Woodstock, documentaries have been a way of preserving historical events. In 1895, the Lumière brothers produced the first documentary when they filmed workers leaving a factory, and their images are as graphic now as they were then. In this ambitious history, Ellis (film, emeritus, Northwestern Univ.) and McLane (former executive director, International Documentary Assn.) focus on American, British, and Canadian documentaries, though there is some discussion of German and Soviet output. The informative but uninspiring text shows how the documentary has evolved, covering early government propaganda up through independent films like Gimme Shelter or Bowling for Columbine. Each chapter ends with lists of books and films of the period covered. This survey is suitable for serious film students; recommended for academic libraries. (Index not seen.)—Rosalind Dayen, South Regional Lib., Broward Cty., FL
Jovanovic, Rob. Big Star: The Short Life, Painful Death, and Unexpected Resurrection of the Kings of Power Pop. A Cappella: Chicago Review, dist. by Independent Pubs. Group. Sept. 2005. c.352p. photogs. discog. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-55652-596-6. $16.95. MUSIC
For a brief moment in the 1970s, Big Star ruled the kingdom of power pop. Chris Bell, Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel, and Jody Stephens met and joined forces in Memphis to release the classic #1 Record in 1971. An amalgam of soul, Beatles-drenched rock, and Raspberries-like pop, the album won great critical acclaim, including an endorsement from Rolling Stone. No matter, the record was a commercial flop, and even though Big Star went on to record two more albums, the band’s beginning contained the seeds of its demise. In a fan’s notes to Big Star, music journalist Jovanovic (Perfect Sound Forever: The Story of Pavement) uncritically chronicles the rapid rise and fall of the band in workmanlike fashion, drawing on interviews with the four members and their families and friends, as well as published articles; each and every song is treated with gushing adoration. Although bands like the Posies, R.E.M., and Wilco acknowledge the deep influence of Big Star on their music, the band is remembered more today through covers of its songs (e.g., Cheap Trick did “In the Street” for the theme of That ‘70s Show). Big Star fans will dig this book—although they know most of what’s in it. For larger music collections. [On Sept. 27, Big Star will release their first album in three decades, In Space.—Ed.]—Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Lancaster, PA
Kellerman, Faye. Straight into Darkness. Warner. Aug. 2005. 432p. ISBN 0-446-53040-9. $25.95. F
When the murder of a young, affluent Munich woman turns out to be the opening salvo from a serial killer, Axel Berg, an inspector with the police department’s new homicide unit, resists his superiors’ orders to settle the case quickly by scapegoating Jews. Swimming against the rising tide of anti-Semitism in 1929 Germany—sentiments only fueled by the growing influence and visibility of Adolf Hitler—the pragmatic Berg knows that he must keep his wits about him and tread lightly if he wants to find the true killer. Kellerman (Street Dreams; Double Homicide) has written a stunning historical crime novel that pulses with the political and social tension of 1920s Munich, especially as seen through the eyes of a man not sympathetic to the Nazis yet trying to protect his family from the gathering clouds of civil unrest. Plenty of twists and turns, coupled with the accelerating turmoil threatening to envelop the city, will keep readers guessing until the final, unforgettable scene. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/05.]—Amy Brozio-Andrews, Albany P.L., NY
Kinsella, Sophie. The Undomestic Goddess. Dial: Random. 2005. c.384p. ISBN 0-385-33868-6. $23. F
Samantha Sweeting is a workaholic lawyer on the verge of becoming the youngest partner in her firm’s history when she discovers that she has—gasp!—made a mistake, possibly the biggest in the firm’s history. In shock, Samantha walks out of her office and, through a series of impulsive actions, into a new life as a housekeeper. As someone who hasn’t figured out how to use her oven in the three years she has lived in her flat, she may be facing too great a challenge. A handsome gardener, however, is a good incentive for sticking with the job, and Samantha’s steep learning curve makes for a hilarious read. When she can’t quite put her former life to rest, Samantha makes another discovery that may change everything—again. Fans of Kinsella’s popular “Shopaholic” series and other readers will be delighted to join Samantha in her escape from the rat race.—Lisa O’Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg
Lee, Spike as told to Kaleem Aftab. Spike Lee: That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It. Norton. Sept. 2005. c.320p. photogs. index. ISBN 0-393-06153-1. $25.95. FILM
Befitting such a multidimensional individual, this collaboration between Lee and journalist, producer, and director Aftab is a multidimensional portrait, drawing on the recollections of Lee and his family, friends, and associates. After an introductory chapter, Lee’s films are covered chronologically, from She’s Gotta Have It (1986) to She Hate Me (2004), with insider information on their genesis and the film industry itself. Aftab also examines Lee’s forays into film, television, and music production and authorship, retail, and teaching; his personal life—including sometimes difficult relationships with parents and siblings—is given equal coverage, as are his often controversial attitudes toward race, religion, drugs, rap and hip-hop, and American history and culture. Throughout, Aftab’s commentary is respectful but objective, and Lee emerges far more thoughtful, open-minded, and funny than his image might indicate. Distinctive and in-depth, this engaging look at a seminal American filmmaker is highly recommended for all libraries, especially academic libraries with film studies programs and collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 5/15/05.]—M.C. Duhig, Carnegie Lib. of Pittsburgh
Lymphedema: Understanding and Managing Lymphedema After Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society. Sept. 2005. c.208p. illus. index. ISBN 0-944235-56-5. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
In the past, cancer patients have often lacked information about the potential for developing lymphedema—the swelling of the arms or legs owing to a backup of lymph fluid—after having cancer treatment. This book seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the condition and to empower those living with the condition to become involved in their own treatment plan and to advocate for continued research. Chapters cover definitions, risks, diagnosis, treatment options, concerns like health insurance, disability benefits, and treatment locations, and an in-depth conversation on coping strategies. Written in a supportive and accessible voice, the book will be most useful to those who have been touched by lymphedema and who are seeking comprehensive and authoritative coverage of their concerns. Recommended for public and consumer health libraries. [The American Cancer Society is offering a limited number of this book to libraries for free through Aug. 31; order via trade.sales@cancer.org or FAX 404-325-9341.—Ed.]—Beth Hill, Univ. of Idaho Lib., Moscow
Richie, Donald. A Hundred Years of Japanese Film: A Concise History, with a Selective Guide to DVDs and Videos. rev. ed. Kodansha, dist. by Oxford Univ. Sept. 2005. c.320p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 4-7700-2995-0. pap. $22. FILM
First published in 2002, this history of Japanese cinema by one of the West’s leading authorities on Japanese culture has been updated to cover new trends, directors, and films. For those who know little about Japanese film beyond the works of Akira Kurosawa and the current anime craze, Richie moves from the early era of the benshi (silent film narrator) and the influence of American film technique through nationalist drama, Godzilla schlock, and the extraordinary reverse influence upon U.S. films of horror flicks such as Ringu (The Ring). The selective DVD/video guide that closes the volume thankfully notes the distributor of these films, and a useful glossary, index, and secondary bibliography round out the text. For both the average reader and the film buff, Richie’s text is the go-to source for understanding the entire range of Japanese film; highly recommended for all film and Asian studies collections.—Anthony J. Adam, Prairie View A&M Univ. Lib., TX
Woolrich, Cornell. Tonight, Somewhere in New York: The Last Stories and an Unfinished Novel. Carroll & Graf. Sept. 2005. c.416p. ed. by Francis M. Nevins. ISBN 0-7867-1530-8. $26. L
Woolrich was a minor but influential figure in the development of crime noir writing; his early stories were filmed by Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window), François Truffaut (The Bride Wore Black), and Rainer Werner Fassbinder (Martha). While Woolrich saw himself as the next F. Scott Fitzgerald, he ended up writing for the pulps and, if this anthology is any indication, ran out of steam in later life. Instead of creating new stories, he reworked earlier writings, which make for painfulreading. These fragments of a failed writer’s life are grossly overwritten and overwrought. What filmmakers and writers picked up from Woolrich were atmosphere and tone—repetitious and claustrophobic; they ignored his weak plotting and the stylistic gaucherie of passages like this: “I could tell by the quiet, dissembled, veiled way her eyes watched me...with a spray of wrinkles at each calculatingly narrowed corner....” Not recommended.—David Keymer, Modesto, CA
Week of August 16
Call Me the Seeker: Listening to Religion in Popular Music. Continuum. Aug. 2005. c.320p. ed. by Michael J. Gilmour. index. ISBN 0-8264-1714-0. $59.95; pap. ISBN 0-8264-1713-2. $24.95. REL
Modern-day scholars frequently study the interplay between religion and popular culture, especially comic books, movies, television, and literature; however, one rarely unearths an in-depth study of religion and popular music like this essay collection. Gilmour (New Testament, Providence Coll.; Tangled Up in the Bible: Bob Dylan and Scripture) commissioned various scholars to approach song lyrics by such artists as Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and the group U2 from mythical, religious, and even historical perspectives, seeing the words as tools that portray, understand, humanize, and analyze the relationship between God and man. Music here is an open forum for wrestling with religious questions. In addition to Gilmour's introductory overview of research in the area, there are bibliographic notes, a list of contributors, and an index. Similar studies on music and culture include Kenneth G. Bielen's Lyrics of Civility: Biblical Images and Popular Music Lyrics in American Culture, Teresa L. Reed's The Holy Profane: Religion in Black Popular Music, and David W. Stowe's How Sweet the Sound: Music in the Spiritual Lives of Americans, which provides a broad view of musical culture, starting in the 18th century and running through the mid 20th century. If your library owns any one of these three, you may want to pass on Gilmour's title. Otherwise, his book is recommended for religious studies collections in larger academic libraries.-Kim Harris, Rochester P.L., NY
Caivano, C. Cristine. Strength Training Over 50: Stay Fit and Fabulous. Barron's. Aug. 2005. c.160p. illus. spiral bound. ISBN 0-7641-5812-0. $19.95. HEALTH
A rapidly growing senior population needs quality information on how to stay healthy and fit longer. Caivano provides just the thing, combining her broad knowledge of dance and movement therapy training in this exceptional strength-training guide for men and women over 50. Readers first learn a solid foundation of lower- and upper-body core exercises so that they can graduate to the more challenging subsequent programs. These time-tested, safe, and simple exercises are accompanied by anatomical diagrams and excellent color photos that demonstrate proper form and execution. Ciavano also includes information on targeting areas and working with stability balls, free weights, in a chair, or against the wall. The book concludes with a discussion of special health concerns and a variety of detailed workout regimens. This sensible and motivating gem of a book is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.-Deborah Anne Broocker, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Dunwoody
Dodd, David G. & Alan Trist (text) & Jim Carpenter (illus.). The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics. Free Pr: S. & S. Oct. 2005. c.488p. illus. index. ISBN 0-7432-7747-3. $35. MUSIC
Ten years ago, Dodd, a librarian at the San Rafael Public Library, began compiling Grateful Dead lyrics on a web site; now he has translated that work into this painstakingly annotated and illustrated compendium. The volume begins with a fascinating foreword by head Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, who describes the precarious and somewhat mystical craft of songwriting as well as his journey with the premiere jam band of psychedelia. Dodd and Trist then present the complete lyrics for nearly 200 Dead-penned songs in chronological order, inserting detailed explanations of the specific places, names, phrases, and terms mentioned. Dodd elucidates such previously obscure references as "mojo hand," the "Marsh King," "chuba-chuba," "the Ables and the Bakers," "ramblin' rose," and "Muskrat Flats." He also cites the dates of the first performance and studio recording of each song and sometimes even the date and location of where a song was written. Executed with precision and humor, this will be another watershed artifact for the legion Deadheads who crave new information on their heroes. There are no doubt many such fans in public libraries, so order up.-Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Droge, Edward F., Jr. Your Intelligence Makeover: An Easy Way To Learn All You Need To Know. Free Pr: S. & S. Sept. 2005. c.272p. ISBN 0-7432-7062-2. $22.95. PSYCH
Education expert Droge here follows the national makeover trend with a twist and promises drastic results. In one section, he claims that he can change your life by increasing your reading speed, improving your memory, and making you the belle of the cocktail ball with a three-week skill-building tool kit complete with quizzes. In another section, he focuses on synopses of foundational knowledge in subjects like history, science, sports, and literature. (Why read Great Expectations when you can get the gist in two lines?) Although he briefly surveys the notion of multiple intelligences (e.g., book smarts vs. street smarts), this book promotes only the traditional view of intelligence that many modern psychologists would discourage: that facts and figures constitute brain power. If you really want an intelligence makeover, pick up an interesting book or the daily newspaper, watch the Discovery Channel, or take an art history class. You might not win at Trivial Pursuit, but you'll have something smart to say at your next social gathering. Not recommended.-Heather O'Brien, Ph.D. student, SLIS, Dalhousie Univ., Halifax, N.S.
Harcourt, Nic. Music Lust: Recommended Listening for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason. Sasquatch. Sept. 2005. c.288p. ISBN 1-57601-437-7. pap. $16.95. MUSIC
It all started with Nancy Pearl's Book Lust; now Sasquatch has called upon Harcourt, the noted music director of KCRW (89.9 FM) in Santa Monica, CA, and a nationally syndicated DJ, to compile lists of essential recorded popular music ranging from bebop to rap. Though he does meander around quite a bit, he covers many important artists of the past century-Billie Holliday, the Sex Pistols, Frank Sinatra-as well as key albums and songs in a clear, concise style; readers will get a good feel for his famously eclectic tastes (his show, in fact, is called Morning Becomes Eclectic). If one is searching for a guide to classical music, this is not the place (there is only a brief mention of a Steve Reich album). Despite the book's idiosyncrasies, you can't go wrong for the price. Since it lacks context, this is not essential for academic libraries. It is, however, highly recommended for all public libraries, which will be drawn to the "Lust" franchise.-James E. Perone, Mount Union Coll., Alliance, OH
Kranowitz, Carol Stock. The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder. rev. ed. Perigee: Putnam. Aug. 2005. 384p. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-399-53165-3. pap. $15.95. CHILD REARING
Often mistaken for ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), a neurological condition that affects the way the brain absorbs and organizes sensory information, can cause a child to react too much or too little to his or her environment. Depending on which sense is affected-visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, or proprioceptive-children will show a range of different symptoms, though unusual reactions to touching and being touched are the most distinctive. Kranowitz, a preschool teacher with 25 years' experience, helped develop a screening method to identify children with SPD. In this second edition of her book (the first was published in 1998), she describes the many facets and symptoms of SPD and offers new chapters on visual and auditory dysfunctions and updated online resources information. Activities that parents can try at home, strategies that teachers can use in the classroom, and tips on how to cope with an "out-of-sync" child are also provided. Recent publications on SPD include Lindsay Biel's Raising a Sensory Smart Child. Recommended for all public and academic libraries, especially those that do not own the previous edition.-Maryse Breton, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, MI
Piazza, Tom. Understanding Jazz: Ways To Listen. Random. Sept. 2005. c.224p. photogs. index. ISBN 1-4000-6369-8. $27.95. MUSIC
A quick way to kill a joke is to discuss what makes it funny-a conversation about what constitutes jazz runs the same risk. This book inevitably falls into that trap from time to time, but on the whole Piazza (The Guide to Classic Recorded Jazz)-in collaboration with experts at New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center-has created an admirable and succinct handbook for gaining a greater appreciation of jazz. In six short chapters with a minimum of technical language, he outlines the fundamental characteristics of the music, from basic blues form to the more abstract concepts involved in improvising and "telling a story." The CD's seven examples effectively illustrate his points so that both newcomers and longtime fans will benefit from the kind of close listening through which Piazza skillfully guides them. As Pulitzer Prize winner Wynton Marsalis says in the foreword, "Once you get it, you never lose it"; this book goes a long way toward helping everyone get it. A solid update to books like Jonny King's What Jazz Is and Jerry Coker's How To Listen to Jazz; highly recommended for all collections.-Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY
Rimm, Sylvia. Growing Up Too Fast: The Rimm Report on the Secret World of America's Middle Schoolers. Rodale. Sept. 2005. c.320p. index. ISBN 1-57954-709-5. [ISBN 978-1-57954-709-7]. $23.95. CHILD REARING
Here is an excellent book from a well-known psychologist on why kids are getting older younger-and how parents can slow this unhealthy trend. Rimm, who hit the New York Times best seller list in 1999 with See Jane Win, offers a thorough and insightful (but not too exhaustive) study of middle school-age behavior that draws on her interviews with more than 5000 "tweens" in 18 states. The results are not pretty-these kids are sexually active, thanks in part to media pressure to be sexy and starlike; they drink plenty of alcohol, spend an inordinate amount of time home alone, and are almost universally negative about homosexuality. Rather than encourage parents to like their children's friends indiscriminately, Rimm advises readers to prohibit certain friendships in the face of unacceptable behavior. She also helps parents understand how a daughter can obsess about being thin and how underachievers actually learn to underachieve. Bringing years of experience and insight to her writing, she delivers solid, concrete advice to parents who know that times have changed but aren't sure how to respond accordingly. One of the year's best for parents; highly recommended for public libraries.-Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA
See the August Xpress Reviews
